'Three things we learned': Red Sox' 8-1 win over Orioles

'Three things we learned': Red Sox' 8-1 win over Orioles

1) David Price can still beat playoff-caliber teams

David Price has faced Toronto, San Francisco, Texas (twice), New York, Seattle (twice) and Baltimore (twice) since June.

His rain-shortened, 8-1 complete-game victory over the Orioles Wednesday night was only the second time he’d beaten any of those playoff-contending teams since May 29. The other: A 2-1 win over Seattle on June 19.

And he did it Wednesday with a bit of an edge, too, working in on Baltimore's home-run hitters and not allowing them to get their hands extended.

“He made some quality pitches throughout the innings,” said Jackie Bradley Jr. “He gave us the chance to win and that’s all that we can ask for.”

With the rain delay looming -- the violent weather that eventually forced the game to be called in the top of the seventh had been forecast all day -- Price was fairly efficient, throwing 84 pitches through six innings.

Price seemed pleased with his performance -- very rare for him, even in good starts.

Additionally, he put the fate of the Red Sox’ season on his back along with the other starting pitchers.

“It’s all on the starting pitching,” Price said. "We’ll go as far as the starters take us. We’ve thrown the ball well as a group over I don’t know how long, but we’ve throwing the baseball a lot better.”

If the starting rotation keeps pitching like it has of late -- and Price is correct -- then the Red Sox are well on their way to the postseason.